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Venue Issues, Need Help ASAP

pittypitty member
10 Comments
in Illinois-Chicago
Currently my venue has lost it's management. 8 people my family knows walked out in disgust over the food, staff, everything. My mother knew there was a chance the long time manager (25 years), who kept the place together, would walk out early. Well, he did. I was never ok with the venue in the first place, mainly due to his potentially departure. What sold me was the gorgeous setting and river. Since my mother is paying for that part, I had to go along with her plan. Now this happens. Fate, I swear. 

My wedding is October 1st, or would be. Having it in the fall is a BIG deal, as well as it being in a beautiful, outdoor setting. 

I believe I'm screwed, unless one of you has an idea.

175-185 people on the GL. 

HAS to be in a gorgeous area with beautiful places for pictures and fall colors. I'm very into the rustic, antique, farm style. OR has to be near a gorgeous area. I absolutely love A New Leaf. Shame it's so small. 

My bridesmaids are wearing a rich, pumpkin color. Groom and the men are wearing chocolate tux's. 

Needs to be within 4 hours of Chicago. I don't care what state. 

$23,000 is the original budget for everything. Most of it being spent on the venue/food/booze. 

Help? TIA. 
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Re: Venue Issues, Need Help ASAP

  • HandBananaHandBanana member
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    This isn't outdoors but I know my venue room has a fireplace and exposed brick.  My entire budget is under $20,000 for 180 people.  The room is the Atrium room at the William Tell.  They have a small outdoor area for photos and ceremony.  Your best route to view places yourself. 

    I always suggest my venue though because I love it. 
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  • Golfer09Golfer09 member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Try the Sara Lee building, Milk Pail, Cuneo Mansion, Cantigny, Byron Colby Barn, Lake Forest Academy.  Good luck!
    Our wedding SDE: https://player.vimeo.com/video/8491081 Our wedding Feature: PW=demo
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  • bride2blisabride2blisa
    Sixth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I second Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake, it's very rustic and beautiful.  Theres another beautiful rehabbed barn in Woodstock on sprawling grounds called Concorde Center.  Both are bring your own catering, alcohol, etc.  GL!
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  • MobKazMobKaz member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited December 2011
    http://mattmasonphotography.com/2011/02/harvard-engagement-session-starline-factory/

    The Starline Factory in Harvard may seem far away, but it literally is at the end of the Metra line....guests can literally walk off the train and into the venue!  It is incredibly rustic, and open to interpretation as it doubles as an art gallery.

    Other gorgeous areas for the Fall would be Independence Grove in Libertyville, Kemper Lakes in Long Grove, and the Makray in Barrington.  Although I have not seen the interior, the Vehe Farm in Deer Park has a very rustic look to it as well, and is surrounded by the Cuba Marsh and a lot of natural, untouched areas.  That, as well as Kemper Lakes, would be a very short drive though Long Grove, which would have lots of beautiful sites for photos.  The Seasons of Long Grove is very nice, but I am not sure it can hold the amount of guests you are currently considering.
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  • butterflyfanbutterflyfan
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You might want to check out Staved Rock Lodge in utica Illinois. Rustic setting.
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  • pittypitty member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks guys. Emailed a few last night.

    Nothing is available so far. 

    This is gotta be some cruel joke. No girl should have to be so excited over her wedding and have it all taken away. :(
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  • HandBananaHandBanana member
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Also,

    http://www.thecenterpalos.org/wedding/about_wayside_chapel.htm

    It might be an option if you can not have the reception venue that you want you could do your ceremony here.  If you go through "natural settings" and "garden weddings".
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  • lexakelleylexakelley
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The Hyatt Lodge is gorgeous and they are in Oak Brook, food is great also.  I have been to about 4 weddings within different times of the year and they have all been breathtalking.

    Sorry to hear about your difficulties, I hope all goes well for you.

    http://thelodge.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/
    Wedding Items for Sale http://alexisandadrian611.weebly.com/index.html
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  • pittypitty member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks girls. Nothing but bad news in my emails as of now. 

    Guess we aren't getting married. 
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  • MobKazMobKaz member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited December 2011
    Don't give up!  You said out of state would be a consideration.....how about...

    Kenosha:  http://www.strawberrycreekbanquets.com/Weddings-Landing_fadc7a0e9356ee4.html?gclid=CO_L-J7QoqgCFYS8KgodR0MVHw

    Or...Lake Geneva.....
    The Geneva Inn-----Lakelawn Lodge on Lake Delavan-----The Nautical Inn in Lake Geneva.....

    or...back in Illinois.....
    http://www.lcfpd.org/preserves/index.cfm?fuseaction=preserves.viewPlan.
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  • Miracle520Miracle520
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't have any suggestions at the moment but please don't give up! I had venue/date issues too and almost gave up and was going to do a May wedding. But everything finally fell in place and we are much happier with our new venue and wedding.

    I'll google for you tomorrow :-)
    Last Post 7/8 Leave for Paradise 7/9 Our Beach Wedding 7/13
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  • pittypitty member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    There are Friday and Sunday dates available, but both of us work full time. As do all of our friends and family. I don't know how those dates would work. 
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  • rhorowitzrhorowitz
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I would spend a few days crunching through all these venues (http://is.gd/467CY4)
    You might have to move your date around if you want something specific though.
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  • MrsMLRBMrsMLRB
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Sunday brunch weddings are lovely (and cheaper). I went to one at Independence Grove and it was great. Mimoas and bloody marys and breakfast foods- yum! I wouldn't give up yet either.

    Have you sent out STDs? Because the ability to move your date will give you a lot more freedom.
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  • lindseyann410lindseyann410 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Starved Rock Lodge is within 4 hours of Chicago.  It's in a state park, and it's goregous in the fall.  It can be easily done uner 23,000.  It may be worth checking out!
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  • Miracle520Miracle520
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    This is in Hobart, IN. http://www.countylineorchard.com/weddings.asp Their booking fees don't look bad they're meals start at like $28 bucks pp. Plus no cook country taxes to worry about.

    In Woodstock, http://www.concorde-centre.com/

    In Streamwood, http://www.hoosiergrovebarn.com/

    In Knoxville (not sure how far that is though) http://www.walnutgrovefarm.com/

    I focused on barn settings so you'd get some rustic feels and beautiiful outdoor settings
    Last Post 7/8 Leave for Paradise 7/9 Our Beach Wedding 7/13
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  • texy72texy72
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are getting married between Milwaukee and Madison in Johnson Creek, WI at the Milford Hills Hunt Club--beautiful venue and really rustic!  www.milfordhillsweddings.com .  Good luck!!
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  • pittypitty member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks girls! Got one good email back today. I'm taking half a day off next Monday to go see the place, talk numbers. It's a little bit of a hike.

    HOPEFULLY this is going to work out. I'd appreciate good thoughts!

    I'm going to continue to email/call places.
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  • pittypitty member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_venue-issues-need-asap?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:1ae178e0-1cc0-4c15-80d2-c07db03e851ePost:9a0337a6-3829-4cc5-a038-47f1753db8a3">Re: Venue Issues, Need Help ASAP</a>:
    [QUOTE]We are getting married between Milwaukee and Madison in Johnson Creek, WI at the Milford Hills Hunt Club--beautiful venue and really rustic!   <a href="http://www.milfordhillsweddings.com" rel='nofollow'>www.milfordhillsweddings.com</a> .  Good luck!!
    Posted by texy72[/QUOTE]

    Wow. That place is amazing.
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  • thealphabridethealphabride
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Check out Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook. We loved the gorgeous setting for our September2010 wedding. They are park district, you can bring in your own catering and  bar and you are the only event they have when they book a wedding. www.mayslakepeabody.com
    The grounds are gorgeous, tons of land, and a lake.. our photos turned out gorgeous.
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  • koriginale11koriginale11
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    consider park districts and also non profits like ryerson woods or lake forest open lands -- they have the space and usually arent in as big demand, so you may have more luck with getting the date on such short notice...
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